The Portland daily press., 1887-03-12
The Senate Passes the Appropriation
for the Reform School.

AUGUSTA, March IL
Especial 10 the Press.l
The great Megantic fight came off in the
House today over the two reports from the
committee. Although the name Of the road
is the International it is commonly spoken
of as the Megantic, and the debate today
was called by no other title. The majority
OF the railroad committees reported bill
allowing the Megantic people to locate their
line as they asked A minority of one. Mr..
Clark of Bangor, reported bill to compel
the Megantlc to use the Piscataquis road
from the foot of the Lake to Milo, from
whence 1t could go along to Mattawamkeag
n oy llne Oh It's own. This part of the Pts
cataquls was to be leased or purchased. but
in case the grades and curves could
not be made to conform with the
requirements of the conditions of the
Megantic subsidy the obligation to buy or
lease was removed and the Megantic allowed
TO build by the route which it asks. A COM
mission OF experts appointed by the Cover
nor or the Supreme Court would determine
the fitness of the Piscataquis road, and the
expenses OF changing the road would be de-
ductted from the rental on the purchase price
In case the Megantic bought or leased it.
On the motion OF Mr.. Clark to substitute
MS report for the majority report the contest
took place to-day. For days and Iweeks the
Megantlc has had working here a lobby the
The Maine Central's influence has also been
with tbs Megantic.
Bangor this week sent large delegation
OF her solid citizens, but they were in the
held late, SO late that all was staked today
on final effort on the floor of the House.
No one will deny that it was gallant effort.
Ihe young men Of the House were for Ban
gor.
Mr. Barker of Bangor spoke first, giving
clear account Of the history of Bangor's
railroad venture and the issues at stake
Mr.. Powers of Houlton followed him with
q speech that made plenty of cheering for
Bangor's side.
Mr. Scott of Clifton made another very
able speech, that put Bangor's spirits up
still higher.
Mr. Looney of Portland came in strong for
Bangor, against foreign corporation that
wanted to carry the products Of the West by
Portland and the other Maine ports to the
ports OF the provinces.
Mr: Noble of Lewiston was next, and Mr..
Hayden of Sangerville closed for Bangor's
side.
The young men of the House had made
the fight on that side, and one and all of
them had made it interesting for the other
side, but the other side had some men who
could strike back and give hard blows too.
They were all older men except Mr.. Wright
OF Paris, who spoke early and well for the
Megantic. There were Dawson of Green
vile, Dickey of Fort Kent, Allen of Alfred,
with some damagingl and well made points,
and finally Messrs. Pattangall of Pembroke
and Billings of Brownvill, as the day drew
to close, put in some of the best work done
on the Megantic side.
Throughout the debate was conducted
with the greatest vigor.
The British hons tail was twisted, the i'm
pedence Of Canada toward our fishermen
was turned to account, the Maine Central
railroad was accused of being monopoly by
side and landed ae hlaccipc Nv
other. British gold' was talked of in the
same breath with warnings that the Megan-
tic was to be used for the transportation of
troops and munitoins of war" There was
so sensible.
When the House came to vote Bangor
was defeated "a to 26. OF the Portland del
egatlon, Mr. Looney voted for Bangor and
so would have voted Mr. Shaw had he not
been paired with Mr. Dow who was absent.
Mr.. Fogg voted against Bangor, and Mr..
Hawkes. was absent.
After the vote was announced Mr. Barker
proposed an amendment which is intended
10 prevent the Megantic from carrying west.
and thence down by the Maine Central, a
proceeding that would hurt the PIscataquis
road very lmuch This is the amendment
winch was adopted as the last section of the
majority report:
Said International Railway Company, its lessees
and asslgnees, shall freely deliver and receive
from connecting railroads their lesses and assigns
passengers, and also cars with or without ner.
cnandlse loaded therein and shall afford reason
able facilities at its connection with said railroads
lor exchange OF such passengers and cars. and
Sald international Railroad Company, its lessees
and assigns shall deliver passengers and freights
TO, and take the same from, connecting railroads
IN this State, their lesseeS and assigns without
discrimination, and shall make and maintain their
rates with all connecting railroads in this State
their lessees and assigns pro rata, and according
to the distance carried the railroad of said cor
hara
contained shall deprive any railroad connecting
with said International Railroad of the benefit Of
the general law relating to connecting railroads.
The bill now goes to the Senate.